Road widening trencher-loader unit



J ly 1963 R. o. M DONALD ROAD WIDENING TRENCHER-LOADER UNIT Filed June25, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 AT ORNEY July 16, 1968 R. D. M DONALD ROADWIDENING TRENCHER-LOADER UNIT 5 Sheets-Sheet 5;

Filed June 25, 1965 INVENTOR. BEHYMORE D. NMDoNALo 1 ATTORNEY INVENTOR.

y 1968 R. o. M DONALD ROAD WIPENING TRENCHEH-LOADER UNIT 5 Sheets-Sheet5 Filed June 25, 1965 Qavnom: D. Mac 00mm ATTORNEY July 16, 1968 R. D. MDONALD ROAD WIDENING TRENCHER-LOADER UNIT 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June25, 1965 INVENTOR. QHYMOIZE. D. NAcDoNnLo ATTORNEY July 16, 1968 R. D. MDONALD ROAD WIDENING TRENCHER-LOADER UNIT 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed June 25,1965 INVENTOR. Qnvnoze D. Nan Douaw ATTORNEY United States Patent Oflice3,392,464 Patented July 16, 1968 3,392,464 ROAD WIDENING TRENCHER-LOADERUNIT Raymore D. MacDonald, Eureka, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments,to Westinghouse Air Brake Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation ofPennsylvania Filed June 25, 1965, Ser. No. 466,945 8 Claims. (Cl.37-101) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An improved road windeningtrencher-loader unit having a cutter frame assembly pivotably attachedto a main supporting frame for movement about a horizontal axis and theelevating conveyor assembly pivotably and rotatably attached to thecutter frame assembly for up, down and side to side movementindependently of the cutter frame assembly. A single power source isprovided along with an extensible linkage to enable the power source todrive the elevating conveyor assembly and a feeder-conveyor carried bythe cutter frame assembly.

The present invention pertains generally to a trencherloader apparatuscomprising an attachment unit that may be mounted on a conventional,self-propelled road building or maintenance machine for use in roadwindening operations.

More particularly, this invention relates to shoulder grading, roadwindening, trencher-loader apparatus which can prepare the subgrade foran additional or new strip of pavement, it being independently poweredand readily adaptable to use as an attachment unit for conventional roadbuilding and maintenance machines such as motor graders, front endloaders, and the like.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea trencher-loader apparatus especially adapted to dig a trench along theedge of an existing pavement or roadway.

Another object is to provide a trencher-loader unit that isindependently powered, and constructed and arranged so as to beadjustably operatively associated with, or connected sidewardly of, roadforming equipment, and effective to remove, load, and feed excess earthmaterial rearwardly thereof.

Yet another object is to provide a trencher-loader unit having a shaped,leading, cutting box or scoop which is adjustable to vary its positionand width, thereby enabling it to gather and contain the trenchedmaterial and direct it to a collecting zone.

A further object is to provide a trencher-loader unit having a feedingassembly effective to continuously chop, cut and remove trenched andcollected material from a collecting zone and transfer it to a disposingzone.

A still further object is to provide a trencher-loader unit having aconveying assembly for continuously discharging trenched and collectedmaterial from a disposing zone to off-road, shoulder, back-fill areasor, alternatively at the selection of the operator, to on-road truckloading.

An additional object is to provide a trencher-loader unit having aconveying assembly that is tiltable up and down independently of theexcavating assembly, enabling the conveying assembly to be adjustedvertically without changing the depth adjustment of the excavatingassembly.

Another object is to provide a trencher-loader unit having a conveyingassembly that is swingable from side to side about an axis near thefront end thereof, enabling the conveyor to be swung off the road forshoulder filling or on the road for truck filling.

Furthermore, it is an object of this invention to provide atrencher-loader unit having rotatable structure such as a gauge wheelwhich can rigidly support a cutting box with respect to a road surfacewhile being effective to gauge and adjust the depth of the excavation ata predetermined level below the road surface.

A still further object is to provide a trencher-loader unit having anadjustable structure for adjusting the slope, or yaw attitude, of acutting box with respect to the plane of a road surface.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a trencher-loaderunit having a controllable load wheel particularly adapted to bedisposed in load bearing relationship with a pavement or road surface atthe rear of the unit, and effective to relieve a primary motorizedvehicle to which it is connected of loads imposed on the vehicle by theweight of the unit, the load wheel being adjustable to compensate forthe weight of the unit throughout a range of tilted positions.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome readily apparent from a study of the following specification whentaken with the appended drawings in which like reference charactersindicate similar parts throughout the several views, which togethershow, illustrate, describe and disclose a preferred embodiment ormodification of the invention, and what is now considered to be the bestmode of practicing the principles thereof. Other embodiments ormodifications may be suggested to those having the benefit of theteachings herein, and such other embodiments or modifications areintended to be reserved especially as they fall within the spirit andscope of the subjoined claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a left side portionof a conventional motor grader, and illustrating a trencher-loader unitconstructed in accordance with the present invention operativelyassociated with it;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the trencher-loader unit of FIG. 1, showing inbroken lines a different position of a conveyor assembly, and againshowing the excavating device or apparatus operatively associated withthe motor grader (shown in phantom);

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a left side portion ofa conventional front end loader, and illustrating a trencher-loader unitconstructed in accordance with the present invention operativelyassociated with it;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side view of the trencherloader unit of FIG. 3,with a fragmentary side view of the front end loader superimposed on itin phantom;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view of the rear end portion of theconveyor assembly of the trencher-loader unit of FIG. 4, drawn to a likescale, and showing in phantom a portion of a following truck adapted tobe loaded by the conveyor;

FIG. 6 is a substantially enlarged, fragmentary plan view of thetrencher-loader unit of FIG. 3 with parts broken away to illustratecertain components and with a rear portion of the front end loader beingshown in phantom;

FIG. 7 is a substantially enlarged fragmentary rear elevational view ofthe load wheel and associated component parts of the trencher-loaderunit of FIG. 3 with certain connecting portions of the front end loaderbeing shown in phantom;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, enlarged, cross-sectional view of a componentof the trencher-loader unit as viewed along line 88 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary top view taken substantially along the line 9-9of FIG. 8.

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, apreferred form of the invention comprises an independently poweredtrencher-loader unit 10 particularly adapted for use as an attachment toa prime mover fdr road building equipment; for example, a selfpropelledmotor grader 12. Accordingly, the trencherloader unit will be able toexcavate a trench 14 in the earth or other road shoulder material 16immediately adjacent the edge 18 of a roadway 98.

The motor grader 12 may be of any suitable and conventional constructionenabling the trencher-loader unit 10 to be attached to it. While a motorgrader in and of itself is well known to those persons skilled in theart to which the present invention pertains, a short description of themotor grader 12 will be set forth for a complete understanding of thisinvention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the motor grader 12 has a suitable frame 22supported at its front end on front steering wheels 24, and at its rearend on rear driving wheels 26, the latter being generally but notnecessarily disposed in tandem pairs. A power source comprising aninternal combustion engine 28 powers the rear driving wheels 26, andalso certain accessories such as the oil pump of the hydraulic controlsystem. In the case of a sixwheel-drive motor grader, the engine 28 willalso drive the front steering wheels 24. A conventional scraper blade 30is disposed under the frame 22, between the front wheels 24 and the rearwheels 26, and is operatively associated with or mounted upon the frame22 so as to be capable of a wide variety of positioning adjustments.

The blade 30 is mounted upon a circle 32 rotatable about an uprightaxis. This enables the scraper blade to be rotated with respect to andunderneath the frame 22. The horizontal rotation of the blade 30 aboutthe axis of the circle 32 generally is performed by an engine drivethrough a suitable gear reduction assembly, in a well known manner. Theblade 30 and the circle 32 also are capable of a lateral orside-shifting adjustment, this adjustment generally being performed byhydraulic rams or mechanical linkages. This may be done in any suitablemanner, enabling either end of the scraper blade 30 to be extendedoutwardly of the frame 22 to a greater or lesser extent. Additionally,the circle 32 can be tilted about a fore and aft axis. In this manner,either side of the circle can be tilted upwardly or downwardly, enablingthe corresponding end of the scraper blade 30 to be tilted upwardly ordownwardly. Moreover, the entire assembly of the circle 32 and the blade30 can be raised and lowered to vary the cutting depth of the blade, bythe operation of well known hydraulic rams or mechanical linkages.

The lifting, tilting, and side-shifting blade positioning adjustments,just described, may be effected by control levers 34 at an operatorsposition 36 on the motor grader 12.

The trencher-loader unit 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 9 as anattachment for a conventional selfpropelled front end loader 48. Thefront end loader comprises, generally, a 4-wheel, powered vehicle havinga main frame 49 and a forwardly extending pair of shovel or bucket arms52 interconnected by a horizontal brace 53. As shown in FIG. 4, the arms52 are pivoted for up and down tilting movement about horizontal pins 54on the main frame. A double-ended lever 55 (FIG. 4) is pivoted (by pivotmeans not shown) about the brace 53 and is connected at its lower end 57through a link 59 to a pivot pin 61 on the back of a bucket 56, thelatter being pivoted at the forward end of the arms 52 about ahorizontal axis defined by pins 58. Normally, in the practice of thepresent invention, the cylinder 50 will be adjusted to hold the bucket56 against its backward tilted limit to provide a stable carriage forthe gauge wheel means 134.

The arms 52 may be lifted and lowered under the control of an operatorby actuation of hydraulic jack means 51 having a piston rod 47 pivotallyconnected to the arms at a horizontal axis 45.

The bucket 56 in FIGS. 3-9, and the motor-grader scraper blade 30 inFIGS. 1-2, have in common the function of supporting the gauge wheel 134or 310 which runs along the pavement and determines the operating depthof the trencher-loader unit. This will be described in greater detail.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the trencher-loader unit10 comprises a main support assembly 60 having a hollow main supportingframe 62. This, in plan view, is substantially diamond-shaped. Itunderhangs the rear portion of the front-end loader 48.

Frame 62 consists of two major portions: a horizontal flat portion 64comprising an outer frame 100 and an inner frame 65, bolted together atflange connection 67 by bolts 71, and a central upstanding portion 66.Frame 62 is of suitable thickness to provide structural integrity, andto provide oil storage and cooling capacity for the hydraulic system.The portion 66, generally triangular shaped in FIG. 7, is preferablycast or welded integral with portion 64. The main supporting frame 62 ispivotally mounted on the side of the vehicle frame 49 by a long pin 68,extending through the frame upper portion 66, along an axis 69lengthwise of the vehicle, and pivoted between brackets 70, 72 which arefixed, as by welding, to the left rear side of vehicle frame 49.

A bracket 74 (FIG. 7) is secured to the central upstanding portion 66 ofthe main supporting frame 62. Bracket 74 carries a top plate 80 to whichthe baseplate 76 of engine 78 is fastened as by bolts 82.

A load bearing wheel 86 (FIGS. 6 and 7) trails the supporting frame 62,preferably of the caster type, effective to support the rear portion ofthe trencher-loader unit 10. It is pivotable about an offset, upright,caster axis 87 on a supporting bracket 88 which, in turn, is tiltable upand down about a horizontal transverse axis 84 through a pin 90. The upand down movement of the bracket 88 may be accomplished in any suitablemanner, as, for example, by an elevating hydraulic power cylinder 92.The pin 90 is supported between a pair of brackets 94 and 96 fixed onthe back side of frame 62 in any suitable manner, as by welding. A fueltank (not shown) for the engine 28 may be carried by the main supportingframe 62.

By adjusting the pressure fluid within the hydraulic cylinder 92, theweight of the trencher-loader unit 10 may be taken from the prime mover(12 or 48) and applied to the roadway directly through the load bearingwheel 86. This enables the prime mover to maintain a level conditionwhile operating on a roadway 98.

A horizontal transverse axis 103 defined by a pin 102, is disposed alongthe leading edge of the outer end portion 100 of the horizontal flatportion 64, where it juts out beyond the left rear wheel of the primemover 12 or 48. This horizontal transverse axis 103 is the pivot pointfor the back end of a cutter frame assembly 104 which comprises sideplates 106 and 108 having upper flanged portions 110 and 112,respectively, and an inclined, chutelike, bottom floor 114. The cutterframe assembly 104 further includes an upstanding mast or A-shaped frame116 supported upon and suitably operatively associated with the flangedportions 110 and 112 of the side plates 106 and 108, as best shown inFIGS. 3, 4 and 6. The A-shaped frame 116 terminates at its upper apex ina dual pivot universal joint or universal clevis 118 which enablesmotion to occur about a plurality of axes, that is, a generallyhorizontal transverse axis through a pin 120, and a generally verticalaxis through a pin 122.

It is desirable that the width of the cutter frame assembly 104 beadjustable, enabling the trencher-loader unit 10 to dig trenches ofdifferent widths. To this end, a forward side plate 124 of the cutterframe assembly 104 is offset from the side plate 108 by a curved rearplate 126, which can readily be replaced with narrower or wider curvedplates, enabling the overall width of the cutter box to be varied.Removable side cutting edges comprising beveled blades 128 and 130, anda bottom beveled blade 132 are respectively operatively associated inany suitable manner with the side plates 106 and 124, and the bottomfloor 114, enabling them to be readily removed for sharpening,replacement, and the like. They constitute a U-shaped cutter boxdefining the shape and size of the trench.

The depth of the bottom cutting blade 132 is gauged from the roadwaypavement 98 by a gauge wheel-linkage arrangement operatively associatedwith a gauge wheel 310 or 134 in the FIG. 1 or 3 embodimentsrespectively.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a gauge wheel 134,preferably a solid rubber tire on a steel wheel, similar to the rearload bearing wheel 86, is mounted on the underside of the bucket 56. Thegauge wheel 134 is preferably longitudinally aligned with loader wheels136 and 138 adjacent the pavement edge.

As shown in FIG. 3, a brace or stiffening bar 140* is secured across thebucket arms 52, and has a stabilizing strut extension 142 beyond theleft side of the front end loader. A power cylinder 144 comprises apower-adjustable link between a bracket 146 fastened to the side plate106, and the extension 142. The cylinder 144 can be adjusted to vary thedepth of the bottom cutting blade 132 relative to the gauge wheel 134.This sets the depth of the trench.

One of the significant aspects of this particular assembly for gaugingthe depth of a trench 14 is that the cutter frame assembly 104 can belifted completely out of contact with the ground 16. This is especiallyuseful when passing an intersecting highway, or a driveway, or any otherlocation where it is desired that the trencher-loader unit be disposedin an inoperative position, but yet can be replaced in exactly the samecutting position, at the requisite depth, by simply lifting and loweringbucket 56 by activation of cylinder 51, see FIGURE 4.

A floating, spring-loaded feeder conveyor assembly 152 digs, feeds,removes and drags trenched earth material 198 upwardly along theinclined bottom floor 114. It is positioned within and over the U-shapedcutter frame assembly 104. The feeder conveyor assembly 152 extendsupwardly, over and beyond the receiving end of an endless conveyor belt154 of an elevating conveyor assembly 156, and comprises an endlesschain 166 with a plurality of flights, digging members or scraper blades168; and anger paddles 194. The feeding conveyor assembly includes: aforward, driven shaft 158; a rear, driving shaft 160; and sprocketwheels 162 and 164, respectively, mounted thereupon. The chain linkage166 is trained about the sprockets. The scraper blades 168 arepreferably equally spaced along the outside of the chain linkage 166.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 4 and 6, the shaft 158 may berotatably journaled in bearing housings or trunnions 170 and 172 whichare fastened to the forward underside of a pair of forwardly extendingfeeder conveyor arms 174 and 176. The latter are joined and made rigidby a cross-tube 178 and are pivotally mounted for up and down tiltingmovement about the rear shaft 160. The forward end of the feederconveyor arms 174 and 176, and the feeder conveyor assembly 152, areurged downwardly by a suitable biasing means, such as compression spring180 held between the forward upper side of the feeder arm 174, and aheavy duty flat washer 182 and nut 186 on the upper end of a rod 184.The bottom of rod 184 is pivotably mounted to the bracket 146 by a pin188, bracket 146 being carried by side plate 106.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a chain guide roller 190 is carried by abracket 191 fastened on the bottom side of a cross tube 193 whichextends between the arms 174 and 176. The roller 190 trains the lowerrun of the feeder conveyor chain 166 and keeps it parallel with the dragplate 114. This improves conveyor efficiency by maintaining uniform,close spacing between the plate 114 and the flights 168. In FIG. 6, anauger shaft 192 (which may be integral with the shaft 158) comprises anaxial extension of the shaft 158. It overhangs and extends beyond theside plate 124. The shaft 192 has positioned on it as many diametricallyopposed auger paddles 194 as is necessary, depending upon the width ofthe cutter frame assembly 104 which, as hereinbefore pointed out, isadjustable by selecting the proper width of the rear plate 126corresponding to the width of trench being made. The auger paddles 194function to move the excavated material 198 inwardly toward the feederconveyor scraper blades 168. Suitable gears (not shown), such as spiroidgears, or right angle beveled gears, are disposed within a gear head orbox 196, and are suitably driven, in a manner hereinafter to bedescribed, so as to power the drive sprocket wheel 164. It, in turn,drives the other sprocket wheel 162, and the corresponding shafts 160and 158, 192, through the chain linkage 166. The gear box 196 is boltedon the flanged portion 110 of the side plate 106.

As hereinbefore pointed out, the elevating conveyor assembly 156 ismutually cooperatively associated with the feeder conveyor assembly 152, enabling the feeder conveyor assembly to receive the trenchedmaterial 198 which is to be removed, and dispose of it rearwardly toback-fill off-road shoulders, or to load a dump truck 200 on-road asillustrated in phantom in FIGS. 2 and 5. As shown in FIG. 3, theelevating conveyor assembly 156 is supported and maintained at apredetermined inclination by a yoke 202 suitably pivoted on pins 204 ona main conveyor framework 206, and comprises a fork 207 reinforced by abrace 208. An adjustable power cylinder 210 is connected at one end,through the universal clevis 118, to the A-shaped frame 116. At theother end, it is connected through the center block 214 and piston rod212 to yoke 202.

As particularly illustrated in FIGS. 4, 8 and 9, the elevating conveyorassembly 156 is supported at its front end on a clevis or yoke 218,which, in turn, is pivoted for horizontal swinging movement about theaxis 221 of a vertical pin 220 extending from the bottom of the yokethrough an aperture in the top plate of the main cutter assembly 104.The pin is threaded at the bottom end and held in place by the nut andwasher shown. This arrangement enables the elevating conveyor 156 to beswung horizontally independently of the feeder conveyor assembly 152.

It is desirable that the elevating conveyor assembly 156 also be capableof up and down tilting movement independent of the feeder conveyorassembly in any swung position thereof. To that end, the conveyorassembly 156 is pivotably mounted for up and down tilting movement abouta generally horizontal axis 237 defined 'by a pair of 'bearing retainers236, 238 rotatable about that axis. Retainers 2-36, 238 are rotatablerespectively within the bores 239 and 241 of the upstanding forks 226and 228 of the clevis 218. The bearing retainers 236, 238, in the shapeof grooved, flanged, round tubes, are mounted onto the side plates 248,250 of the elevating conveyor assembly by clamp rings 249 and 251. Thus,as the elevating conveyor is tilted 'up and down by cylinder 210, themembers 236, 238 will turn within the bores 239 and 241.

The retainers 236, 238 also support bearings 232, 234 which journal thesupporting shaft 222 for the forward, driven elevating conveyor roller256.

The horizontal swinging of the elevating conveyor assembly 156 islimited by stop pins 240, 242 which are carried by the yoke 218 andwhich extend from the bottom thereof into arcuate slots 244, 246 formedwithin the upper plate 105 of the cutter frame assembly 104. These stoppins 240, 242 are threaded at the bottom ends and are provided with nutsand washers, as shown, to lock the elevating conveyor assembly in anypreferred swung position.

An important feature of the trencher-loader uni-t 10 is that the cutterframe assembly 104 can be adjusted, that is, raised or lowered, to adesired depth relative to the gauge wheel 164, by the hydraulic cylinder144. Another important feature is that the adjustment for the depth ofthe cutter frame assembly 104 is substantially completely independent ofthe adjustment for the height of the elevating conveyor assembly 156.Still further, the conveyor assembly 156, in addition to its independentadjustment for height, is laterally swingable independently of and withrespect to the cutter frame assembly 104. An excavating device orapparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention will therefore be seen to comprise an assemblage of pivotlocations enabling the various component elements or parts thereof to betranslated along similar or different planes of movement substantiallycompletely independently of one another.

The elevating conveyor assembly 156 has reinforced longitudinal sideplates 248 and 250 of generally chan neled-shaped configuration, whichside plates are suitably disposed in fixed, substantially parallel, orat least spacedapart, relationship with respect to one another, and maybe fabricated of any suitable material, such as steel plate. A pluralityof guide and support rollers 252 for the material-carrying run aredisposed at substantially equal space intervals between the drivingpulley 254 at the upper, discharge end, and the driven pulley 256 at thelower, receiving end. The endless conveyor belt 154, preferably ofrubber-like material, has its material-carrying run supported on therollers 252 and its return nun supported on a return idler 260. Therollers and pulleys are supported by and between side plates 248 and250. If desired, the belt 154 may be provided with ribs (not shown), ofany suitable and conventional configuration, such as V-shaped, foraiding in holding the trenched material 198 on the belt 154,particularly in those applications where the conveyor assembly iselevated at a steep angle.

The engine 78 provides a convenient, integral, selfcontained powersource for the mechanical and hydraulic actuated components. A hydraulicsystem and transmission and gear reduction assembly is generallydesignated 262.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the engine 78 drives a main power shaft 264,through assembly 262 and U-joint 266.

The main power shaft 264 extends from the U-joint 266 to the U-joint268. The latter drives a short shaft 267 which is journaled in a bearinghousing 269 fastened to the conveyor side plate 248.

The shaft 267 carries a power take-off sprocket 272 (for a purpose to bedescribed later) and is connected through U-joint 284, shaft 282, andU-joint 286, into a conveyor drive gear box 287 fastened to side plate248. Any suitable gearing arrangement may be used in the box 287 toenable the shaft 282 to rotate the shaft 290 for the drive pulley 254.Shaft 282 comprises a pair of splined, telescopical sections 282a and282k.

Sprocket 272 (FIG. 5) drives a sprocket 276 through a chain 280.Sprocket 276 drives a forwardly extending shaft 292 which is journaledalong the side plate 248 by bearing housing 278 and 294 (FIGS. 5 and 4).Bearing housing 294 is carried upon a brace 296 fastened to the sideplate 248.

As shown in FIG. 4, the forward end of shaft 292 is connected throughU-joint 300, shaft 298, and U-joint 302 into the gear box 196 alreadydescribed for the feeder conveyor assembly 152.

The main power shaft 264 extends between the fixed gear box 262 and thebearing housing 269 which swings and tilts with the conveyor. Likewise,the feeder conveyor power shaft 298 extends between the fixed gear box196 and the bearing housing 294 which swings and tilts with theconveyor. To accommodate this swinging and tilting movement, and todrive at any swung or tilted position of the elevating conveyor, each ofthese shafts is Z-piece, telescopical, and splined. Shaft 264 comprisestwo splined sections 264a and 26412. Shaft 298 similarly comprises thetwo sections 298a and 298b. This enables the feeder conveyor todischarge trenched material onto the elevating conveyor at all swung andelevated positions.

Top plate 80 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 6), to which the engine 78 is bolted,preferably has provision to rotatably adjust the position of the enginerelative to the drive shaft 264. Arcuate slots 81, formed in the plate80, permit the engine 78 to be generally aligned with the drive shaft264 and thereby reducing the strain on U-joints 266 and 268.

The power train can be summarized as follows: the engine 78 powers theelevating conveyor drive pulley 254, through shafts 264 and 282. Thepower take-off at the sprocket 272 drives the feeder conveyor 152through the shafts 292 and 298. Shafts 264 and 298 are splined andextensible to drive at any swung position of the conveyor. Suitablehydraulic pressure generating means, comprising a pump in the assembly262, may be powered by the engine 78.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the flow of power through shafts 264, 282, 292, and298 is shown by the direction of the arrows on those shafts. In certainother figures, reference arrows are employed to show direction ofmovement of the parts themselves.

FIG. 7 shows the slope control and adjustment. This comprises anadjusting jack screw 304 threadcdly engaged within a supporting bracket306 suitably fixed on the right rear side of the main frame 49 of thefront end loader 48. The jack screw 304 is vertically aligned with andbears against a pressure pad 307 on a supporting bracket 308 at the farright edge of the main supporting frame 62. With this adjustmentcontrol, the cutter frame assembly 104 and the U-shaped cutter on itsforward end may be tilted sidewise about axis 69 to, for example,compensate for the crown of the roadway 98. Thus, even with asubstantial crown in the road, the trenche'r-loader unit can produce auniformly level trench.

With the understanding that gauge wheels 134 and 310 function alike,gauge wheel 310 (FIGS. 1 and 2) will not be described. Preferably it isthe caster type and serves the same function as the gauge wheel 134described in connection with the attachment unit for the front endloader shown in FIGS. 3-9.

Structually, the gauge wheels resemble the load wheel 86. As shown inFIG. 1, the gauge wheel 310 is mounted upon the scraper blade 30 by aseries of bolts 312, nuts 314 and washers 316, only one set of which isshown. By releasing the bolts, the gauge wheel 310 can readily beremoved to allow the motor grader 12 to be utilized for other work. Tostabilize the attachment of unit 10 to the motor grader, an upstandingbracket 318 is fixed, removably as by bolts not shown, to the upperportion of the scraper blade 30. The bracket 318 has an upstandingextension 320 to which the piston rod 325 of cylinder 144 is connected,as for example on the pin 326.

To rigidity the stabilizing arrangement just described, a stabilizingstrut 322 is fixed to the top of the extension 320 and extends in agenerally forward direction (FIG. 2) to a forward anchor on the frame22, just above the front wheels 24, at a point 327.

The cylinder 144 comprises an adjustable link between the cutter frame104 and the gauge wheel 310 which rolls on the pavement surface 98. Theadjustment of cylinder 144 determines the depth of cut, that is, thelevel of the trench below the pavement surface. When passing a drivewayor other obstruction which must not be cut through, the operator liftsthe scraper blade 30 by means of the normal controls for that purpose onthe motor grader. This lifts the gauge wheel, the cylinder 144, and thecutter frame 104, taking the latter out of digging contact with theground until the unit gets past the obstruction at which timetrench-cutting can be resumed by lowering the blade 30 until the gaugewheel 310 is again on the pavement surface. Since this is done withoutchanging the adjustment of the cylinder 144, trenching will be resumedat exactly the same depth as before.

The operation of the trencher-loade'r unit 10, whether used on a motorgrader, front end loader, or other suitable prime mover, is believedreadily apparent from the foregoing description. Such a unit, althoughdesigned to be used as an attachment to a prime mover, is particularlyadapted to be controlled and operated from a control panel (not shown)installed in, or within easy reach of, an operators position on theprime mover. For example, in FIG. 1, the motor grader 12 has a cab 323;and in FIG. 3, the front end loader has a cab 324. The engine 78 of thetrencher-loader unit may be started from the prime mover cab and allother control functions for the operation of the trencher-loader unitmay be manipulated from the cab.

For example, the depth of the U-shaped cutter box at the front of thecutting frame assembly 104 of FIG. 1 may be adjusted, remotely, by thecylinder 144. Likewise the inclination of the elevating conveyor 156 canbe varied at the operators will by adjusting the cylinder 2110. And, aspreviously described, the cutter frame 104' can be taken completely up,out of contact with the shoulder, by lifting either the motor graderblade 30 or the bucket 56 when it is desired to cross over a driveway,intersecting highway, or the like. These adjustments often need to bemade quite frequently, therefore it is desirable that they be readilymade from the operators cab.

Other adjustments, which need not be made so frequently, but are more inthe nature of set-up for the job, will 'be to swing the elevatingconveyor 156 for truck loading, or for windrowing along the shoulder;the slope control by the adjustment of screw 304; and setting the widthof the trench by use of the requisite width cutter box back plate 126and corresponding number of anger paddles 194.

Digging is commenced simply by actuating the controls at the operatorsposition to tram the prime mover and at the same time engaging theclutch to start the main power shaft 264 to thereby simultaneouslyactuate the feeding and elevating conveyors, and adjust cylinder 144 forthe proper trenching depth.

One important feature of the trencher-loader unit 10 is that it isprimarily intended to be an attachment unit and can readily be assembledand disassembled with respect to the motor-grader 12, the front endloader 48, or any other similar prime mover, with a minimum amount oftime and effort.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the trencher-loader unit may be disassembledfrom the motor grader simply by releasing bolts 312 to remove the gaugewheel 310; releasing the pin 326 to disconnect the cylinder 144; andreleasing the longitudinal pin 68 to disconnect the main frame 62.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, the trencher-loader unit may be removed fromthe front end loader by unbolting the gauge wheel 134; releasing the pin326 to disconnect the cylinder 144; and releasing the pin 68.

In effect, it can be said the apparatus 10 is removably, operativelyassociated with respect to the prime mover as through the medium of aplurality of pin assemblies, one such assembly being located at each endof the unit 10.

-In some instances it may be desirable to remove the trencher-loaderfrom the prime mover exclusive of the engine 78 and the load bearingWheel 86. This is accomplished by first blocking up the trencher-loader.The pin 326 is then disconnected to free cylinder 144. The outer endframe 100 is unbolted from the inner frame 65. The prime mover is thendriven ahead, separating the two sections of the telescopic drive shaft264. Drive shaft section 264b remains fastened to the engine unit andsection 264a comes free with the trencher-loader.

In summary, the trencher-loader unit of the present invention comprises:a main support assembly 60 pivotable (for slope adjustment) about thelongitudinal axis 69 on the prime mover frame 22 or 49; a cutter frameassembly 104 pivotable up and down on assembly 60 about transverse axis103-, to vary the trenching depth; a feeder conveyor assembly 152pivotable on assembly 104, about a horizontal transverse axis throughits rear driving shaft and an elevating conveyor assembly 156 swingablefrom side to side on assembly 104, about an upright axis 221, andtiltable up and down on yoke 218, about a horizontal transverse axis237.

While the invention has been shown, illustrated, described and disclosedin terms of embodiments or modifications which it has assumed inpractice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limitedby the precise embodiments or modifications herein shown, illustrated,described or disclosed, such other embodiments or modifications intendedto be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and spirit ofthe claims here appended.

What is claimed is:

1. A trencher-loader unit for widening a road bed, comprising:

a cutter frame assembly for defining the width of the trench;

a main supporting frame;

the cutter frame assembly being pivotally mounted on the main supportingframe for up-down tilting movement about a substantially horizontalaxis;

a feeder conveyor assembly disposed on the cutter frame assembly;

an elevating conveyor assembly being pivotally mounted on the cutterframe assembly for up and down tilting movement about a secondsubstantially horizontal axis independent of the cutter frame assembly,said elevating conveyor assembly being disposed upon the cutter frameassembly in materialreceiving relationship with the feeder conveyorassembly;

a first telescoping splined drive shaft universally connected between apower source and .a first sprocket wheel which is rotatably supported bythe elevating conveyor assembly;

a first reach shaft disposed on the elevating conveyor assembly betweenthe first sprocket wheel and drive gearing for the elevating conveyorassembly;

a second reach shaft operatively positioned upon the elevating conveyorassembly;

a second sprocket wheel positioned upon one end portion of the secondreach shaft in driving relationship with the first sprocket Wheel;

a second telescoping splined drive shaft universally connected to theother end portion of the second reach shaft; and

gear means operatively associated with the feeder conveyor assemblyenabling the first telescoping splined drive shaft to simultaneouslydrive both conveyor assemblies at all positions of the elevatingconveyor assembly.

2. A road widening trencher-loader unit for attachment to a road vehiclefor use in cutting a trench along the edge of a roadway as a step in theprocess of widening the roadway, said trencher unit including, incombination,

a main supporting frame adapted to be removably connected to said roadvehicle,

means for cutting said trench including a trough-like cutter frameassembly privotally mounted to said main supporting frame for up anddown tilting movement about a first generally horizontal axis,

first conveying means carried by said cutter frame assembly forconveying the trenched material along and rearwardly of said cutterframe,

second conveying means for receipt and transport of the trenchedmaterial upon discharge from said cutter assembly,

means for attaching said second conveying means to said cutter frameassembly for rotation about a substantially upright axis and for up anddown tilting about a second generally horizontal axis to thereby enableindependent adjustment of said second conveying means relative to saidcutter frame assembly,

a bracket pivotally mounted to said main supporting frame,

a load bearing wheel carried by said bracket, and

means secured between said bracket and said main supporting frame forpivoting said load bearing wheel into and out of load supportingengagement with the roadway.

3. A road widening trencher-loader unit for attachment to a road vehiclefor use in cutting a trench along the edge of a roadway as a step in theprocess of widening the roadway, said trencher-loader unit including, incombination,

a main supporting frame assembly adapted to be removably connected tosaid road vehicle in a position extending laterally outwardly of saidroad vehicle,

means for cutting said trench carried by said main supporting frameassembly in a position laterally spaced from said road vehicle, saidtrench cutting means including a trough-like cutter frame assemblymounted for pivotal movements with said main supporting frame assemblyabout a first generally horizontal axis,

means for digging and conveying the trenched material along andrearwardly of said cutter frame assembly, and

second conveying means for receipt and transport of the trenchedmaterial upon discharge from said cutter frame assembly,

said second conveying means being pivotally mounted for movement about asecond generally horizontal axis directly on the main supporting frameassembly,

said second conveying means being further mounted for pivotal movementabout a generally vertical axis on the main supporting frame assembly tothereby provide independent adjustment of said second conveying meansrelative to said cutter frame assembly.

4. The structure of claim 2 further characterized by and including adrive motor carried by said main supporting frame assembly and meansestablishing a driving connection between,

firstly, said drive motor and said means for digging and conveying thetrenched material along and rearwardly of said cutter frame assembly,and between Y secondly, said drive motor and said second conveying-meansthroughout all relative positions thereof.

-5. The structure of claim 3 further characterized by and including,

a bracket pivotally mounted to said main supporting frame assembly, aload bearing wheel carried by said bracket, and

means secured between said bracket and said main supporting frameassembly for pivoting said load bearing wheel into and out of loadsupporting engagement with the roadway.

6. The structure of claim 3 further characterized in that the secondconveying means is so mounted on the main supporting frame assembly thatthe axes about which said second conveying means is pivotally mountedsubstantially intersect one another.

7. The structure of claim 3 further including means for valying thedepth of cut of the cutter frame assembly,

and depth of cut variation means being operatively connected to thecutter frame assembly and having connecting means connected to liftingmeans associated with the road vehicle whereby the cutter frame assembly may be elevated above, and returned to, an established trenchcutting position without operating the depth of cut variation means.

8. The structure of claim 7 further characterized in that the means forvarying the depth of cut of the cutter frame assembly includes anadjustable link which is pivotally connected to the cutter frameassembly.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 771,746 10/1904 Peters l98982,564,486 8/1951 MacDonald 198-8 X 2,696,289 12/1954 Lehman l9899 X2,981,012 4/1961 Meyer.

3,245,159 4/1966 MacDonald 37-8 X 3,308,563 3/1967 Danek 378 X FOREIGNPATENTS 143,584 9/1951 Australia.

ABRAHAM G. STONE, Primary Examiner.

A. E. KOPECKI, Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent N0. 3 ,392,464 July 16 1968 Raymore D. MacDonald It is certified that errorappears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent arehereby corrected as shown below:

Column 8, line 35, after "is" insert of Column 11, line 41, claimreference numeral "2" should read 3 Column 12, line 20, "and" shouldread said Signed and sealed this 30th day of December 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

